TV: Nipa Bhatt goes for Food Network glory

Nipa Bhatt, the 35-year-old former owner of the Gypsy Curry House, in Minnesota, is one of 10 finalists on the Food Network's search for its next star. The reality show, known as The Next Food Network Star, or NFNS, is now in its 4th season. One of the judges is celebrity chef Bobby Flay.

On her bio page, which you can see here (and also watch some videos of her), Nipa says she's a marketing manager who loves reading and watching Hindi movies, as well as playing with her 2 kids. Her favorite food is the lowly fried rice, and the one item she won't touch is barbecue sauce.

Apparently the Food Network is really lacking in the Indian culinary department, so Nipa's using that as her selling point: She wants to demystify Indian food. Here's how she answers the question, "Why you should be The Next Food Network Star":

"I am a marketable person for Food Network because of my versatile background and the result of it. I have been brought up in two vastly different countries and have been able to soak up the best of both worlds. Indian-style food is such a popular type of cuisine now but it’s also the most mysterious. I can teach the nation that ethnic food is approachable and you can cook it nonchalantly."

In one of the videos, Nipa says she mostly cooks Gujarati food but also some North Indian food. Although the show hasn't aired yet, here's what one of the judges, Susie Fogelson said about Nipa:

"She lacks a little polish. She sort of said things that I'm not sure I would say. But... she's spirited. I think she's interesting. And I love her culinary point of view: making ethnic food accessible. That's great."

Comments

[Reena]

I found Nipa so cocky & arrogant, she's not Food Network Material. She'll be out by the next round or so.

[Neil Rogers]

"Suki Bhaji" means dry vegetable. It does not mean curried potatoes.

She also used "curry powder" which is a huge no-no! No good Indian cook or chef uses curry powder, she should have used other spices (ground cumin, ground coriander, garam masala, cayenne...).

I dont think she impressed anyone, she's OUT!

[CH]

How can someone who claims to be a marketing manager do such a poor job of marketing herself and her dish. Why did she make such an issue of not finding tumeric? Making excuses made her look unprofessional.If it was such a key ingredient then why didn't she ask someone in the store to direct her? if she isn't flexible enough to improvise or change course instantly she won't last much longer.

[PSP]

She was so annoying. I really hope she gets kicked out this time. She made the show a pain to watch.

[Harini]

I was so thrilled to see an Indian on my fav Food Network channel.I always wanted Food Network to showcase Indian cuisine because of its rich culinary history(running through hundreds of years) and above all its diversity. Wanted someone to highlight that Indian Cuisine is NOT just "Spicy" "Curry".

Now back to Nipa's participation in the NFNS,though I appreciate her initiative and interest to partcipate,whats with her attitude and temper? Doesnt she want to win? Is she not passionate?

I dont think she even cooks to suit everyone's pallete. Most of her dishes are just savoury and hot.How about some desserts?

I think she will do great when she bears a good smile and loses her attitude. Hope she remembers that she represents a lot of indians too. I can only wish her good luck :(

[anon]

As a South Asian woman, I am deeply offended by her remark "I feel different...look at me" as she motions to herself. What does that mean???? Is she playing the discrimination card, trying to gain sympathy (without warrant because she's full of excuses and lacking talent), or so insecure of her "Indian upbringing" (let's keep in mind she left India when she was 5 and she's now 35) she has to play into the stereotypical South Asian woman role? What happend to paving new ground for not only South Asians but SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN?? Amazing...I can't believe she actually said that.

[Nina]

I really hope she gets disqualified soon. Her remark about being different was a blow to all asians. I also think that she really did not add any pizzaz to the dishes she presented. Cooking indian food with curry powder! She could have made the potatoes without the tumeric and I agree with the comment above - the woman cannot translate! Perhaps she should start watching the Hindi movies with subtitles. I would like to see an indian chef who's willing to experiment and fuse different flavors on the Food Network. The new indian fusion restaurants in big cities are the rage - that's what we need to show is how diverse indian cuisine can be. By using curry powder on her first televised presentation, she set back indian cooking standards. Nipa Bhatt is an embarrasment...

[Bindi]

Oh my gosh, Nipa wasn't playing any card or saying she was "different". She was refering to the fact that she was physically and emotionally drained. She looked drained and different from her off screen self. That day was high pressure on little sleep.

Suki Bhaji" means dry vegetable: As far as this goes. Dry is refering to the vegetable being without a 'gravey' or moist element in the dish and potatos = vegetable. India is a vast country with many dialects and family differences, even if this doesn't translate from straight Hindi. Really, we all know this.

Have you read the subtitles in the movies before? Yeah, not so perfect themselves.

Don't be so critical. This is a high stress job interview without the normal support system. I see Nipa trying. In fact I see all contestants trying and please don't rush into snap judgments. Look at the comments on Lisa, everyone hated her last week and now this week she has a soft side???? The show is edited to show drama and create tv personalities. One of Bob's comments about Nipa refers to the fact she is not coming across on the show as she did previously in her audition.

[Ashish]

I agree with Bindi's comments. The challenge started before 3 AM. It was a long grueling day. It is easy for us to sit in comfort of our living rooms and pass judgement on snippets of information provided by tons of editting.

Nipa is from Gujarat and Suki Bhaji, at least in my house, meant dry (with out sauce) patato sabji. It amazes me that instead of being supportive of one of our fellow Indians, so many people are tearing her down based on snippets of a TV reality show created personality.

Did anyone think that "I feel different" could mean that I am not a chef? She is the only contestant with least "chef" experience. Her day job is sales/marketing, she never went to a culinary school of any sort. She is self taught and trying her best. We see 10 mins of several hours long "judegement" as per Sussie's (one of the judge) blog. They drill these guys and I would be first to say that she lost her cool. But to come out and be able to appologize in a public forum takes great character. Besides, one of her earlier comment was that her biggest challenge is not going to miss her kids.....if you look at her audition video, she has her kids with her. She probably has never been away for this long from her kids.

I am going to vote for her as my "fan favorite"......

[RRB]

There are so many talented Indian chefs, and I've been looking forward to the day when one would join the reality TV fray. But I don't understand why they picked someone who calls herself a "marketing manager" rather than an actual food professional. And she acted like a brat in the last episode.

Her range of culinary knowledge doesn't seem particularly wide. I too was dismayed by her use the curry powder, and her inability to adapt to the lack of turmeric on the first episode. Here's to hoping she'll be gone soon and that there will be a far more worthy competitor, maybe on Top Chef!

[Nina]

Fan favorite? Not!! I feel she's an embarrasment to Indians. Yes, the subtitles on desi movies are often warped, but suki bhaji is not batata nu shaak.

She was not willing to work with her team and her lack of flexibility WILL lead to her downfall. She questioned whether she wanted to be there or not! Does she not appreciate that she was selected from thousands, be grateful! Stupid over inflated egomaniac. Was she the only one who had to get up at 3am? She made her team wait for her as she took her time while all the other teams were cohesive and ran to the challenge.

She owned a restaurant, why did it shut down? Could it have been her negative overinflated attitude? She's not the only contestant who has left behind children and family to come pursue a dream job. She repeatedly said that she was not certain that she wanted this job - then quit dimwit!!

I will not recant on my critique of her. She's not my fan favorite!

[Bugs]

I am thoroughly disappointed with Nipa's bad attitude. She always seems to sulk and give excuses. She is clearly not up to Food Network standards. I am so annoyed by her that I'm praying she gets eliminated soon.
Her Indian recipes are so not up to the mark. When did Sukhi Bhaji become curried potatoes. Whom is she kidding? Is was the easiest dish and even a 10 yr old could make something that elementary.
She is the weakest link and she should go back to Minnesota and cook at her below par restaurant.

[Bindi]

You say "Toemato" and I say "Taamato". The world is not so black and white. How about a little color in this narrow world.

I stumbled on this site and noticed the blog of Nipa. The show is giving clips of hours of taping on all. I can't believe how terribly mean you all are on your fellow Indian and am saddened by that fact. In fact, she is a fellow human being, lets not cut someone down because of what is shown on TV. Again, everyone on the show is trying, some better than others. I give them all props. Those who can do or at least try, those who can't critize. I throw out the challenge of everyone knocking down Nipa to apply for Season 5 to see the reality behind the tv.

I agree that walking out in judging was a mistake. However, don't we all make mistakes in life and then learn from them. Let's see what Nipa learns as the weeks go by.

Let's also take into account that Nipa has been on TWO episodes so far and has been given a) time restrictions (I'd want to make something quick and easy when I'm responsible for 1.5 dishes in 30minutes with a partner) and b)food limitations (lamb was a wise choice given the meat choice and Nipa being India). I'd also love to see her range and fusion food but she also needs to follow the guidelines of the challenge.

The judges saw something in her that is not coming out on TV. Nipa's chances of winning the show to us are now 1 in 8 same as everyone elses. Let's be proud of the fact that there is someone out there promoting Indian fusion food, even if she is not well liked. Remember, there is a saying that 'there is no such thing as bad press'.

[Ganesh]

Nipa,

I am happy, that you have come to the final list of Next Food Network star. Congratulations, even if you lose, we will not feel sad. Yours is a starting and i hope next year, more than 1 indian will participate in the show.

Thanks
Ganesh.

[Srini]

We cant wait to see her go home.

[Ashish]

Following is an excerpt from blog of Bob Tushman (one of the 3 judges). This is the Nipa I know.....she did'nt came off on the show as her own self. But Episode three had several of Nipa's traits shown. I don't know how many caught at the end of the show where she was the only one comforting Jen when she was going through the emotional roller coaster of being bottom two and surviving or Kelsey came up and Nipa said, "We don't think you are a fraud" to soothe her. Nipa is a good cook (albeit not a full time chef) and she is representing herself and India best she can on the show. I hope that she can build on this further....

" We all spent the weekend feeling frustrated and out of sorts about Nipa storming off the set during last week’s elimination. Such attitude. I hate that such a huge, unpleasant drama happened so early in the season. Nipa is skating on micron-thin ice now.

When she comes out for her potato demonstration, it’s clear that something has changed in Nipa. She’s smiling. She’s confident. She looks gorgeous on camera. She holds up a bowl of her potato curry proudly and tells us a story about eating it growing up in India. She is nearly good. The curry is more than that. It’s fabulous. It’s rich, satisfying, with a slow, subtle spicy kick at the end. Darn it. I was so ready to send her home, and now I’m starting to almost like her again.

[Gandhi Boys]

Nipa foi makes yummy food.
I like her a bunch.
She is fun.

Ethan and Luka:)

[bbt]

She's not innovative at all. From someone who knows the wealth of variety of South Asian food, she sure is nothing but a Gujarati-Chauvinist in her cooking style. And one more thing, she needs to grow the hell up and stop being all in your face about the fact that she's Indian. I know you're Indian, Nipa. So am I. And I don't care. There are 2 million ethnic Indians in the USA. You're not special. Now go get a life.

[Meena]

You go Nipa!

It's great to see someone FINALLY pitching the idea of Indian Food! Enough italian and grilling shows, Food Network NEEDS NIPA! As Indians, we SHOULD give her support and stand by her!

Saying "she's bad" or "she's sucks" doesn't make you any better and I'd like to see you cook suki bahji on TV and PRESENT IT TO FOOD NETWORK ALL-STARS. I'm pulling for Nipa ALL the way. :)

[Nina]

Cooking Suki bhaji was taught to me when I was 8 yrs old. It is a simple, very basic dish. Cooking a potato "suki" method is a basic that most gujaratis are taught at a very young age. If Nipa is such a talented cook she would be cooking indian fusion. Her palate (if she has one) should be able to mix different spices and create a tasteful concoction. To better understand what a great chef can create by fusing perhaps Nipa should visit places such as Mantra (Boston), Tabla (NYC) or even Vij's (Vancouver). Any gujju like myself can make dry potato shaak and potato curry...just ask my mom she taught me! By the way, what is up with the peanut mix?? Sugar and cayenne...how about making something a little more tasty?

[Jasmine]

I was so excited to see a fellow Indian on the Food Network to really showcase our diverse cuisine.

Thoroughly disappointed by Nipa - she showed zero variety, was completely full of herself and acted like a complete brat. What an embarrassment.

Glad to see that she got booted tonight, hope next year someone who has some actual culinary qualifications to represent the Indian community comes with their A-game instead of all bark and no bite...

[Glad to see her gone]

Wow am I glad to see this woman finally get kicked off the Food Network Star Challenge. Seriously, what were they thinking, she is a complete idiot, every week she sucked and didn't know what she was doing.

Come on, sugar and cayene pepper!!! Oh and then she makes her self look like an even bigger dumbass (which I didn't think was possible) by her comments on the instructional video challenge. "Cut the tail off the squid" WTF! Squid don't have tails you twit!

Sad that she called herself a cook and a food lover, please if you read this Nipa, go back to your town and stay the eff out of the kitchen.

[Vasundhara]

Okay first of all nipa doesnt suck...

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!! OMG im so glad she got kicked off...she was so full of her self i wanted to throw up. her appearence on the show was a slap on the face to all indians. honestly we need someone that will truly show off all of the nice indian cooking, not present it as a joke.

oh and "NEP" peanut mix?? WHAT WERE YOU THINKINGQ!! YOU SUCK, now go back to minnesota and eat RASSA VALU BATATA NU SHAK AND SUKI BHAJI WITH BHAKRI.

YOURS TRULY,

VASU, LALIT, VEENA AND SHREEJI

[SAJAforum Editor]

Guys,

What's with all the unnecessary hostility?? This is a FOOD SHOW, not nuclear disarmament - surely you can do better than saying "You Suck" at any given chance, that too anonymously. We just noticed that some comments are being made under various aliases: "Bindi," "Ashish" and "Gandhi Boys" are apparently the same person. We'll be removing those comments - and any others that seem to delight in hating on people who don't cook like you do.

[DM]

How did she get selected in the first place? Her attitude is simply inexcusable. She did more harm than good to our cuisine by displaying utter lack of respect for the art of cooking. It seems cooking is a nice fantasy in her head that is severly limited to a small repertoire of simple dishes. It would have been better if she simply did not participate.

[Gin]

Hello,

I have to thank food network for finally coming to their senses and kicking out drama queen can not cook nipa "midwestern idiot" not "midwestern indian".

This is the type of person that puts other Indian people down. Nipa, you want to be a food network star and you can't even pick up a fish! Shit! How the hell do you run your restaurant? Note to myself.. "Never eat the Gypsy Curry House" especially not the fish.. that is if you happen u serve it.

Sweet heart i love to cook but i am to go on national TV with the ambition of being the next food network star...gees i wouldn't squirm at the sound of seafood and probably learn how to handle squid.. That is child's play for an experienced chef.

I guess i must commend her on her courage. Does not hurt to dream...but really sometimes it pays to be a bit realistic about things.

Wonder what they serve at her restaurant??? HAs anyone eaten there? How is the food? Does Deepa cook??? ARRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

[Gin]

p.s. owner does not necessarily mean good cook let alone chef!

[Mahnaz Siddiqui]

OMG, the "suki baaji" fiend! She is by far the biggest retard I ever came across on the Food Network! Good riddance.

[Nina]

Would anyone like a bollywood dance lesson? I can't even explain how happy I am to see Nipa out!! She was an embarrasment to Indians. She has all us gujjus squirming in our seats with uneasiness.

[Padma]

Hi All,
I am an Indian and have a great passion for food and cooking. Of course every Indian has the passion for the Indian food. Indian food has great history and heritage. Indian cuisine is blended with our culture and festivals and plays a vital role in day-to-day life in India.

First of all I appreciate Nipa to represent India on our behalf. But I was really disappointed the way she made the opportunity go waste. She claims that she wants to bring Indian food to the international lime light. I appreciate her for that. But on the other hand Nipa should have worked on her cooking homework a lot. Cooking for your family is totally different from cooking for people whom you don’t know.
I don't know what suki bhaji means. But in south India, whatever the dish she made with potatoes we just say potato curry which really does not compulsorily need any turmeric or curry powder. If you are really innovative you could have easily made the potato with just chilly powder, coriander powder, garlic or whatever herbs you catch in the kitchen.

Next comes Nipa’s presentation of food. You present your dish to audience. However bad your dish is cooked but your presentation and food arrangement on the plate has to tempt the people to taste your food with interest. Her body language while presenting the food was so awkward that it rather made the audience feel that she is too excited and in tension because she is in front of the camera or she is not confident. I appreciate if you say it’s your confidence that is inside you is reflecting in your body but actually if I were one among the judges I would say it is over-confidence and she never corrected till the last. Actually that is one other major point that eliminated Nipa from the challenge.Nipa, you need to have all the ingredients (not your food ingredients, your challenge ingredients) in the right proportion.

Major points that eliminated Nipa from the challenge

1. Extremely over confident but not enough hard work towards the challenge.
2. Tendency to always come up with an excuse.
3. Absolute lack of innovation in preparing dishes and food arrangements.
4. Lack of presentation to audience.

How come could anybody bring Indian cuisine to food network when she herself does not know the value of Indian cuisine?

But still,Nipa correct your mistakes and I wish you a good luck for your next challenge.

[mach]

Nipa sucks. she did injustice to the indians of the U.S. She can't even cook. I would possibly be less hateful towards her $h!t-of-an-attitude if she was a good cook, but turns out she doesn't know ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!! i felt like throwing my remote at the TV. i could write an essay on how much i loathe her, but read the comments above, multiply them by 4 and you will get the gist of my hate. Nipa, go frikkin "bollywood dance" with some dumb@$$ who married you.

~~The guy who thinks Nipa is $h!t

[Anu]

I hated Nipa. I can't believe she let such an oppurtunity go to waste. Her signature dish Sukki Baaji, how can that be a signature dish for an Indian? Plus her attitude was way off! Why was she taking so much time to get ready that day? Her team waited 10 min for her, I think that's unacceptable. And what was all that fuss about fish and seafood, I know many Indians are vegetarians but so many poeple eat fish in India eg Bengalis. The Bollywood dance was very embarrassing. She was DUMB instead of the peanut mix of sugar and cayyenne she could have done Garam Masala or anything more innovative. It was a disaster, thank god its over and she's out.

[Chandraaditya]

I totally agree with all of your comments and double with Padma. Nipa had very good chance to correct her mistakes and go-on with the show. But she never did. Does she does the same in her real life? Her total act was like drama. She is not the SPICY QUEEN, she is the DRAMA QUEEN. As everyone said, NIPA BHATT - YOUR DRAMA WAS A TOTAL DISGRACE FOR INDIAN CUSINE.

[Srinivasa Raghavan]

I thought she was okay, but like others said she was a major whiner, she never took responsibility for her own shortcomings, and was an egomaniac, and narrowminded to boot, so seeing her being booted was no surprise. Something else not surprising was the fact that the nature of the show is stacked against an Indian winning to some extent. They presumably have mostly western ingredients and the timetables are set up for preparations of western foods. You'll be lucky to get any toor dal pressure cooking in the short time frames. It's not clear that they're stocked with indian spices either. Most indian foods are rather labor intensive as well. This stacks the cards against an Indian winning the thing.

[Srinivasa Raghavan]

I thought she was okay, but like others said she was a major whiner, she never took responsibility for her own shortcomings, and was an egomaniac, and narrowminded to boot, so seeing her being booted was no surprise. Something else not surprising was the fact that the nature of the show is stacked against an Indian winning to some extent. They presumably have mostly western ingredients and the timetables are set up for preparations of western foods. You'll be lucky to get any toor dal pressure cooking in the short time frames. It's not clear that they're stocked with indian spices either. Most indian foods are rather labor intensive as well. This stacks the cards against an Indian winning the thing.

[Ashish]

How does this menu sound?

Welcome Drink: Lychee Bellini

Appetizers: Mini Toasts with Bombay Bhaji
Chilled spinach leaves stuffed with Lamb Kebobs
Prawns sautéed in Chaat Masala

Dinner: Tandoori Chicken
Palak Paneer
Channa Masala
Steamed Basmati Rice with Saffron
Garlic Naan

Accompaniments: Yogurt Raita
Mango Pickle

This was one of the cooking classes Nipa taught at the local Lets Cook (gourmet cooking class/school). It was a hit as were all of her other classes that she teaches there. As Nipa described the situation in the show was a "rat race". They took all her money away and were sent to this one store that hardly had any ingredients. On top of that they didn't have any time in her challenges to create proper Indian dishes.

Lets hope that when FN brings another Indian to the competition they have the pantry stocked with all the right gear and ingredients. She does not know how to fillet a fish...big deal...buy fish that is already fillet.....she is not a trained 'chef'. And in terms of throwing the remaining fish away.....what was she supposed to do....leave it on her work station and be unclean? But I do believe that is what cost her the elimination.

[ann]

somebody contact if he is looking for another indian candidate
http://www.rupenrao.com/index.asp of simply indian.
it is rare to see an indian with such passion to cook .. he has a great on air presence. the guy was a child actor in malgudi days and has taken acting lessons as a kid. now dabbles in IT, but his passion is cooking - flavorful indian cooking in 30 minutes.

[BILL H.]

NIPA WAS AN EMBARRASSMENT THAT HE HAD TO TURN TO BOLLYWOOD DANCING TO TRY AND WIN A FOO NETWORK SHOW. YOU ARE NOT THAT GOOD. CAN'T EVEN COOK A BASIC FISH DISH. I WATCHED HER FOR TWO EPISODES AND LEARNED NOTHING ABOUT INDIAN COOKING THAT I DIDN'T ALREDY KNOW (CURRY EVERYTHING IN SIHJT). SORRY BUT BOBBY FLAY WASN'T THERE TO SAVE YOU THAT WEEK.